RENT: The Musical‘s ultimate message might be easier said – or sung – than done. This may be why it reverberates with undiminished fervour almost 30 years on.

Back in 1996, Jonathan Larson’s rock musical, inspired by the 1895 opera La Boheme, followed a community of struggling New York artists learning to live in the moment while dealing with actual and existential threats.

In today’s world, the show’s motto “no day but today” remains just as relevant and challenging. At the Australian premiere of this new production in Brisbane, RENT‘s energy and optimism struck a chord with an enthusiastic audience that was quickly on its feet at the final curtain.

Staring down the scourges of AIDS, drug addiction and gentrification displacement, RENT tapped into the zeitgeist and became a global phenomenon. Larson’s sudden and tragic death from an aortic dissection the day before RENT’s off-Broadway premiere reinforced its themes’ poignancy.

The show went on to win multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Under Shaun Rennie’s direction, this national touring production remains vibrant, fresh and exciting as a social and political statement with collective resonance.

While COVID didn’t discriminate in the same way as AIDS, its carnage has also changed the world. The other two threats have remained universal and some would argue have escalated as development dislocates people and changes our inner-city’s character and the affordability of housing.

Influenced by the idea of “anarchitecture”, Dann Barber’s mobile scaffolding set – rearranged by the cast in front of a tenement façade backdrop – brilliantly symbolises the tenuousness of the location, the inhabitants’ bare-bones existence, the spirit of community and the excitement of the roller-coaster lifestyle.

Its visual zenith is adult dancer Mimi’s attempted seduction of guitarist Roger in Out Tonight, performed on portable stairs zig-zagging across the stage, a grid of 60 amber lights blazing behind her.

Hamilton star Martha Berhane’s sizzling delivery as Mimi was seared into my memory (as was Christine Anu’s in 1998). It’s no wonder Anu and a then-unknown Rodger Corser (as his namesake) became a couple.

Back then, Anu was the only big name in RENT due to a policy of casting undiscovered talent, which led to what was then the biggest audition process in Australian entertainment history.

With this production we have formally trained and experienced performers. None are household names, although Berhane, Carl De Villa (Angel) and Noah Mullins (Mark) are well-known musical theatre leads possessing an engaging blend of charisma and vulnerability.

Several of the cast have appeared on TV talent show The Voice – Thndo (Joanne) placing second in 2022 and Calista Nelmes (Maureen) in 2023’s Top 12.

Vocally, the latter two’s big voices make a huge impact. As a moment of theatre, Nelmes’ hilariously take-no-prisoners a capella performance art piece Over the Moon is another standout.

Bookending Act I with pulsating energy in the opening Tune Up, and the anthemic La Vie Boheme, the full cast numbers choreographed by Luca Dinardo (and backed by the onstage band) pack a punch.

The mood and tone shift in Act II with the beautifully melodic and meaningful Seasons of Love, the show’s best-known song. It’s an unshakeable earworm, but unless you’re a musical theatre devotee, you may find much of the score contextually effective and enjoyable without producing lasting recall.

Having fans knowing the music is an advantage of a history spanning generations and it can help with lyrical details when some of the vocals are overpowered by the music.

The whole cast is solid and although some performers are stronger than others, they should keep developing.

RENT isn’t a perfect musical – within the writing there are spots that drag and occasionally jar – but a diamond’s flaws can reflect its authenticity.

You don’t have to be young or to have seen it before to find its passion and idealism inspiring and infectious.

RENT: The Musical continues at QPAC’s Playhouse until February 11

qpac.com.au

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